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2017-18 Ashes Discussion Thread

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Abdullah719

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2017-18 Men’s Ashes Series
  1. First Test – Australia v England, Gabba - 23-27 November 2017
  2. Second Test – Australia v England, Adelaide Oval (Day-Night) - 2-6 December 2017
  3. Third Test – Australia v England, Perth (venue TBC) - 14-18 December 2017
  4. Fourth Test – Australia v England, MCG - 26-30 December 2017
  5. Fifth Test – Australia v England, SCG - 4-8 January 2018

2017-18 One-Day International Series against England
  1. First ODI – Australia v England, MCG – 14 January 2018
  2. Second ODI – Australia v England, Gabba – 19 January 2018
  3. Third ODI – Australia v England, SCG – 21 January 2018
  4. Fourth ODI – Australia v England, Adelaide Oval – 26 January 2018
  5. Fifth ODI – Australia v England, Perth (venue TBC) – 28 January 2018

Prime Minister’s XI
  • PM’s XI v England – Manuka Oval – 2 February 2018

2017-18 T20 International Trans-Tasman Tri-Series
  1. First T20I – Australia v New Zealand, SCG – 3 February 2018
  2. Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena – 7 February 2018
  3. Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG – 10 February 2018
  4. Fourth T20I – New Zealand v England, Wellington Stadium – 14 February 2018
  5. Fifth T20I – New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park – 16 February 2018
  6. Sixth T20I – New Zealand v England, Seddon Park – 18 February 2018

  • Final – TBC, Eden Park – 21 February

*Series then moves to New Zealand for three further matches and final

Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board have today confirmed the 2017-18 Men’s Ashes Test schedule, along with the five England One-Day Internationals scheduled for January, immediately following the Test Series.

The first Test will return to Brisbane’s Gabba, a traditional fortress for Australia during the Ashes.

Adelaide Oval will then play host to the first ever Day-Night Ashes Test, as the stadium cements itself to host ongoing Day-Night Tests in the future.

Following Adelaide, the series will move to Perth. Cricket Australia and the WACA continue to work with the WA Government on the possibility of hosting matches at Perth Stadium in 2017-18.

The series will then move to the traditional Boxing Day Test and New Year’s Test in Melbourne and Sydney respectively, where record crowds are expected.

Fans wanting to find out more information, including travel package, hospitality and ticketing options can visit www.cricket.com.au/ashes. Public tickets for the Ashes Series will not go on sale until next year.

Five One-Day Internationals have been scheduled with the touring England side, to be hosted in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth between 14 January and 28 January, with Adelaide hosting the Australia Day fixture.

Cricket Australia together with New Zealand Cricket and the England Cricket Board also confirmed a T20 International trans-Tasman tri-series will take place from February 2018, with three matches to be hosted in Australia, and four including the final to be hosted in New Zealand. Prior to this the traditional Prime Minister’s XI will be played at Manuka Oval in Canberra against England as a T20 International match on Friday, 2 February.

The Chappell-Hadlee series will not be contested next season, due to the Ashes Series and T20 International tri-series. The trans-Tasman One Day International series will resume the following season.

Speaking from the Gabba today, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said:

“We recognise how big the Ashes is for both home and travelling fans, and the early announcement of the schedule for this series will allow fans here in Australia and abroad to plan their Ashes summer.

“This schedule will allow for at least three Sheffield Shield matches to be completed as preparation prior to the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

“The decision to start the international season in Brisbane, then moving to Adelaide, allows us to give Perth Stadium the best chance to host the Test match, so we can welcome an even bigger crowd to Perth next summer.

“We’re really excited to announce that Adelaide will play host to the first ever Day-Night Ashes Test. We know how much Adelaide fans love this style of Test cricket. We’re expecting a full house next year in what is sure to be a great contest.”
 
Really annoyingly, the hotel next to the Adelaide ground where all the current and ex-players stay isn't open for bookings until next week.

By which time Pommie travel agents will have block-booked it.
 
Why is there a tri series being played straight after the one day series? England will be in Australia for 3 straight months.

I'm sure England will start moaning about the schedule as the time comes.
 
Ashes 2017 - Stress Fracture rules out James Pattinson from Ashes

Cricket Australia has today confirmed that fast-bowler James Pattinson will take an indefinite break from bowling as he recovers from a reaggravation of his lower back stress fracture.

Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Kountouris said: “Soon after returning from the UK, following the Champions Trophy and his county cricket contract, James presented with back pain.

“We made the decision to withdraw him from the Tour of Bangladesh and monitor his pain.

“He returned to bowling after a period of rest and unfortunately he is still experiencing pain with bowling.

“During this time we have been monitoring him, including regular scans and recent imaging has confirmed that James has begun to reaggravate his previous lower back stress fracture.

“As such, he has discontinued bowling as part of his recovery which unfortunately means that he will be unavailable for the beginning of the Sheffield Shield and subsequently Ashes campaign.

“Whilst this is very disappointing that James has reaggravated this old injury, we are confident that he can recover from this and return to playing.

“However, James’ current injury is complex because his history of old stress fractures from his teenage years means there is one part of his spine that absorbs more force than it would normally do.

“This is the area the of current reaggravation but we are hopeful that we can put strategies in place to help manage this when James returns to playing,” said Kountouris.

Speaking on his injury setback, Pattinson said he was disappointed.

“Obviously I am extremely disappointed with this setback after just getting back into a good run of playing cricket.

“I’m especially disappointed to miss out on the possibility to play in a home Ashes Series.

“Over the next few weeks I will discuss all available options available to me with medical staff, to work out the best plan to prevent this from happening again.”
 
Some of these Aussie fast bowlers seem to be made of glass. That's probably the only way that the series would get back onto a level playing field - the Aussies gradually breaking down with injuries - given that a Stokes-less England are looking such a poor prospect.
 
Word is that Pattinson is out of these coming Ashes and it could be it career wise.
 
These aussie bowlers are always out because of injury and when their team gets a phainty they say it was because it was their B team.

No it was not your B team, it was the best available team you had because your bowlers aren't fit enough to play regularly.
 
That's it for his international career I think. Cummins and Big Billy are ahead and even maybe Jackson Bird I guess. He can still probably play T20's and leagues but test cricket us simply not for him
 
James said:
Some of these Aussie fast bowlers seem to be made of glass. That's probably the only way that the series would get back onto a level playing field - the Aussies gradually breaking down with injuries - given that a Stokes-less England are looking such a poor prospect.
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Pattinson is a different measure to the others - Hazlewood and Starc are fit more often not for instance and would have played in this just completed Indian ODI series if it were lets say an Ashes test series.

Pattinson's career is probably almost over sadly.
 
How sad his carrier has been,back then when he was barely 21 he bowled with great pace accuracy and aggression......seriously thought he will be a big thing
 
Yep, Pattinson is 27 and still hardly played. At best he could still go on & have a Shane Bond type career perhaps.

At worst he's not going to be the same and Coulter-Nile or a younger quick should be looked at.
 
Convict said:
Pattinson is a different measure to the others - Hazlewood and Starc are fit more often not for instance and would have played in this just completed Indian ODI series if it were lets say an Ashes test series.

Pattinson's career is probably almost over sadly.
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This is so disappointing. With that dies the fantasy of having Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Pattinson in the same line up.
 
Saffer_XIII said:
This is so disappointing. With that dies the fantasy of having Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Pattinson in the same line up.
Click to expand...

That would never happen. It is extremely rare for 4 quicks to be better than 3 quicks + your best spinner.
 
Feel sorry for him. Must be hard to be so near your dreams and never touching them.
 
Don't think he will be the same bowler, last time i saw him bowl, it was clearly visible injuries had taken its toll, was bowling at 135 km/hr compared to early on in his career when he was touching 150 km/hr.
 
Pattinson in 6 years since his debut has only played 17 tests. He has done incredibly well in those 17 tests but again I guess he isn't in the top 3 pacers to start for Australia. If fit Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins will be the 3 pace bowlers starting for the Aussies, Pattinson's absence will not be felt in the larger scheme of things.
 
Savak said:
Don't think he will be the same bowler, last time i saw him bowl, it was clearly visible injuries had taken its toll, was bowling at 135 km/hr compared to early on in his career when he was touching 150 km/hr.
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May I ask when was the last time you saw him bowl because he does most definitely not bowl 135 km/h. He still regularly hits 150 km/h.
 
Such a shame. He is a very talented bowler . If he has consistent back problems , I don't think he will have a long term career. Very unfortunate.
 
James Pattinson’s horror run of injuries

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/447d3347fede25fa8a556f6d87a25ec5


nAfouK2.jpg

JAMES Pattinson’s Ashes campaign is over before it even began, with the Victorian quick ruled out after aggravating a stress fracture in his back.

The 27-year-old will now take an indefinite break from bowling, forcing him out of at least the early part of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield campaign.

Having burst onto the international stage as a 21-year-old in 2011, a horror run of injuries has restricted Pattinson to just 17 Tests in six years.

Following his latest blow, we take a look back at the quick’s horror run with injuries.

JAMES PATTINSON’S TALE OF INJURY WOE

November, 2011 — At the age of 21, having played only nine first-class matches, he makes his Australian Test debut against New Zealand in Brisbane. Takes five for 27 in 11 overs in the Kiwis’ second innings and is named man of the match.



January, 2012 — Ruled out of the final two Tests of Australia’s 4-0 whitewash of India with a stress fracture in his foot sustained during the Sydney Test. At this stage he has taken 25 wickets at an average of 18.12 across his first four Tests.

April, 2012 — Having returned to playing duty in March in an ODI series against Sri Lanka, Pattinson returns to Test cricket in the West Indies. He breaks down with a back injury midway through his first red-ball game since the India series. Playing white-ball cricket by July

November, 2012 — Makes Australian Test return against South Africa in curtain raiser at the Gabba and picks up five wickets for the match.

November, 2012 — Suffers torn side in second Test against South Africa in Adelaide and is ruled out for the remainder of the home summer. Unlike a regular side strain, this injury also affects his rib cage, with the quick struggling to breathe properly midway through the match.


February, 2013 — Having played only one first-class match since breaking down at Adelaide Oval, Pattinson shakes off the rust on his return to Australia duty, taking 5-96 against India in Chennai. He only takes another four wickets over the remainder of the series, as Australia go down 4-0, but still finishes with a decent average of 27.77.

July, 2013 — Falls victim to an inept Australian batting display, with England starting its second innings little more than three hours after its first innings concluded at Lord’s. Having felt stiffness in his back on day two, Pattinson is diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back and sent home to recover.

He misses the entirety of Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in the summer of 2013-14, recuperating with the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League before returning to national duty during the ODI series against the Poms.

March, 2014 — Returns to first-class cricket in the Test arena, playing the final of Australia’s three matches in South Africa. His return helps the Australians secure a memorable series win. The victory is soured by yet another back complaint for Pattinson, with scans revealing swelling around a previous stress fracture that hadn’t fully healed.


December, 2014 — Returns to cricket via the BBL, and takes 3-24 in his first match back.

February, 2015 — Re-enters the red-ball arena for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and takes 4-96 in his first game back. Picks up a hamstring injury in his second match.

March, 2015 — Reinjures his left hamstring in Shield final, and is not considered fit in time for Ashes selection.

September, 2015 — With a new bowling action aimed at preventing further back and hamstring injuries, Pattinson plays two of Australia’s five ODIs against England and fails to pick up a wicket.

November, 2015 — After dominating the Matador Cup (14 wickets at 19.42) and taking eight wickets across the first two rounds of the Sheffield Shield season, Pattinson is called up to the Test squad. Victoria coach David Saker is concerned by the call-up, pointing to the quick’s injury record and suggesting it is too soon.

“He hasn’t got any history of putting lots of games together,” Saker said. “When you don’t have that you’ve always got questions, I’ll always doubt people who can’t play four or five Shield games in a row — how can they get through two or three Test matches?”


December, 2015 — Finds himself back in the Test arena against the West Indies. Playing his first Test in 21 months, Pattinson takes 5-27 in the second innings.

February, 2016 — Plays against New Zealand in Christchurch before breaking down again with a bone stress injury in his left shin and back pain.

May, 2016 — Three months after the Christchurch Test, Pattinson is still sore and scans confirm a recurrence of stress fractures in his back.

February, 2017 — Returns to first-class cricket with Victoria and dominates the final five rounds of the Sheffield Shield, taking 24 wickets at 17.41 and scoring 244 runs at 34.85.

June, 2017 — Continues his fine return to the game, taking 32 wickets at an average of 12 in five first-class matches for Nottinghamshire and averaging 49.25 with the bat.

August, 2017 — Ruled out Australia’s two-Test tour of Bangladesh with back soreness.

October, 2017 — Scans confirm a recurrence of back stress fracture, shattering his Ashes hopes and casting doubt over his career.
 
On another note back stress fracture is a career-ending injury. It keeps recurring for him. Balaji's career ended the same way. Lower back stress fracture.
 
Ashes 2017 - Jason Behrendorff needs to be part of Australia’s Ashes plan

The Australian team has returned from their subcontinental tours and the area where their Ashes campaign seems to be on track is the bowling attack.

With Mitchell Starc expected to be fit, his collaboration with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood has already raised the expectations among the fans.

The backup pace option is still vacant, though.

James Pattinson has been having terrible luck with injuries and been ruled out, while it looks like Jackson Bird will miss out due to injury as well.

However, this might work well for Jason Behrendorff, who is probably in line to be picked in the squad, after a stellar Sheffield Shield season and playing brilliantly in the recently concluded T20 series in India, where he accounted for four top-order wickets.

The 27-year-old bowled quick and swung the new ball, which makes him an exciting prospect. He also has a brilliant domestic record, with 123 wickets at a stellar average of 22.92. The other crucial statistic is his strike rate – a measly 43.9.

Behrendorff had a stellar 2016-17 season, picking up 37 wickets in seven games, at an average of 17.59. He also picked up a record 14 wickets in a game with the best of 9-37 in an innings, against the eventual champions Victoria, last season.

With sharp pace and swing in his repertoire, he will be a welcome addition to the Australian pace attack. Even though Australia already has Starc, who is also a left-arm pacer, Behrendorff provides something different.

Having been on the selectors’ radar for some time, injuries to others and his impressive returns over the last year or so make Behrendorff a prime candidate.

The Ashes is a long and hard series and the Aussies need good backups. Being a left-arm bowler also gives him an added advantage, as he makes for a good replacement if Starc needs to be rested.

Jason Behrendorff has done everything this year to get noticed by the selectors and his chances seem bright for the Ashes.

Article by [MENTION=25545]giri26[/MENTION]
 
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Not sure why he hasn't been a regular when their main bowlers have been out. He should be a regular ahead of the mediocrity they've played.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Yes, he was.
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Mate. Behrendorff plays for the team I actually follow in Sheffield Shield.

He's not been fit enough to justify selection over the last few years. In fact he's only sporadically even played Shield cricket in this time.

When you have an injury history you have to be Ryan Harris level to get rushed into the side whenever you just recover.
And history has shown that after a few shield matches the Dorff breaks down again.
 
I think he's absolutely got heaps to offer for Australian cricket and would love him in the side but the fact is that he hasn't been harshly treated by selectors at all.
 
Looked fantastic in one of the T20s recently.

You can tell how good of a bowler Behrendorff is. I'd imagine he's an easy selection to make as long as he's fit.
 
Behrendorff hungry after T20 debut

Western Australia quick Jason Behrendorff says his first taste of international cricket has only made him hungry for more, with the paceman stating his ambition is to be fit to play if further opportunities arise this summer.

The left-armer made his long-awaited international debut in Australia’s recent T20I series in India, playing both completed matches and capturing a stunning 4-21 in the second match in Guwahati, taking the wickets of India’s top-four batsmen in the space of 12 deliveries.

The 27-year-old’s elevation to the international scene was a long time coming after a string of injuries, but with Behrendorff currently enjoying an extended spell of full fitness he appears primed for the summer ahead.

Provided Australia’s pace battery suffers no further injuries between now and the Magellan Ashes – Victorian quick James Pattinson has already been ruled out for the summer after the recurrence of stress fractures in his back – the hosts will field a pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in the first Test against England at the Gabba.

But should further injuries strike, Behrendorff is ready to put his hand up.
"Those three, if they're all fit and firing like we expect them to be, they'll be the first picked and rightly so," Behrendorff told Fairfax.

"For me, having that goal of playing international cricket again means that I'll be ready and waiting in the wings.

"(The goal is) to be playing international cricket whenever I get that call, to be ready to go.

"That's something that I'm working towards – making sure I'm fully ready to go if that opportunity presents itself."

Behrendorff will have a chance to push his credentials with the red (and pink) ball during the three Sheffield Shield rounds to be played before the start of the Ashes.

The fast bowler doesn’t have long to dwell on his first experience at international level, with the paceman likely to feature in Western Australia’s JLT One-Day Cup finals campaign later this week.

But it’s a feeling he won’t forget anytime soon.

"It was an unbelievable experience," he said.

"I want to play as much international cricket as I possibly can.
"It's such a buzz and such a thrill, it's something I'll continue to aspire to play as much as I possibly can.

"I've always had that belief that I'm good enough, but then to perform and really cement that on the big stage (was great)."

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/jaso...stralia-fast-bowler-magellan-ashes/2017-10-17
 
Looks a good bowler. record speaks for itself.

He does seem to get injured when an opportunity comes up or perpetually be on the comeback trail until the last year or so.

I actually think he has a better natural stock length in red ball cricket than Starc (Starc having a killer yorker & bouncer but struggles to have a wicket taking stock ball length out swinger in tests consistently- which if he ever fixes will make him an atg).

Be a nice addition or back up to the Ashes squad, where I predict even if he doesn't start the first test, he'll play at least 2 along the 5 test series coming in for one of the top 3 quicks.
 
Ashes 2017 - Adam Gilchrist urges selectors to pick and stick with next gloveman

While he can feel for Matthew Wade and even Peter Nevill, Adam Gilchrist says he will understand if selectors opt for bolter Alex Carey as Australia's wicketkeeper for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Whatever they decide, Gilchrist hopes the selectors show faith for the whole series so the gloveman gets the chance to "launch a career".

Wade is under pressure to retain the gloves for the Ashes opener at the Gabba from November 23 after being replaced by part-time 'keeper Peter Handscomb during the recent one-day tour of India.

Wade is out of form with the bat and copped renewed criticism of his glovework after conceding a total of 30 byes in Australia's historic first Test loss to Bangladesh in August.

But former Test skipper Gilchrist stood up for Wade, hinting that the Tasmanian native had been harshly judged.

"Wade has come in and six of his 10 Tests back have been on the sub continent - the most difficult wicketkeeping and batting conditions you will come across," Gilchrist told AAP.

"The player group will probably hope he is shown a bit of faith by the selectors, given a chance back home."

The man Wade replaced in the Test side, NSW's Nevill is believed to be in the mix again while unheralded South Australian Carey is considered another option
Gilchrist still seemed to be scratching his head over why Nevill was dropped in the first place.

Nevill was among sweeping changes made to the Test team after their nightmare innings-and-80-run defeat to South Africa in Hobart last summer.
The Blues gloveman responded by peeling off three Sheffield Shield tons following his axing and has worked with ex-Test keeper Ian Healy to fine tune his technique.

"I think Nevill was a bit harshly treated, when they made the wholesale changes last summer," Gilchrist said.

"I didn't think he was missing anything with the gloves really.

"And he got a 60-odd the game before. He was probably the victim of a failing top order."

Gilchrist still didn't have a problem with dark horse Carey receiving a baggy green at the Gabba - as long as selectors 'pick and stick'.

Carey is in the mix ahead of the Ashes after being named as the only gloveman for Australia A's tour of South Africa earlier this year.

"They might want to start afresh with Carey. I understand the different points of view," Gilchrist said.

"Either way they go I can understand.

"And there is so much cricket between now and the first Test, whoever gets it done in those Shield games will probably get the opportunity.

"But whoever they pick, stick with them for a while, try and get some stability there.

"It is up to the player to warrant selection but if the selectors give them a decent run it could really launch a career."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/10/19/03/35/stick-with-next-aussie-keeper-gilchrist
 
Ashes 2017 - As the Shield season begins, the race for Ashes spots hots up

The major Ashes talking point over the last couple of months for Australia has been the No.6 position and the wicketleeper’s spot.

Glenn Maxwell, who had occupied the six role in the recent subcontinent tours, has been patchy of late, and he must make the most of the three first-class games ahead of the series.

The other six candidate is Hilton Cartwright, who made his debut against Bangladesh about a month ago. He had a brilliant Shield season last year, scoring 861 runs at 53.81, and offers an additional bowling option.

The other batsman who might be of interest is Joe Burns, who may be an opener for his state side, but he made his Test debut in the middle order, and also had a good Shield season last year, scoring 724 runs at 40.

Others who might also get a look in include George Bailey (839 runs at 59.92) and Moises Henriques (775 runs at 64). Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis will also be in the selectors’ minds as bowling all-rounders, but neither had a good first-class season last year.

As for the wicketkeeping spot, Matthew Wade has been poor enough to be dropped for the Ashes, with the prime replacements being Peter Nevill and Alex Carey.

Nevill had a decent Test season at home last summer and was unfortunate to lose his place, while Carey provides a younger option who could serve for a long time.

Nevill had a stellar first-class season last year, scoring 625 runs at 56, with three hundreds, while Carey scored 594 runs at 33, meaning Nevill has his nose slightly ahead.

Elsewhere, Matt Renshaw and Usman Khawaja will likely feature in the first Test, but they could be upstaged if any of the aforementioned players put in great performances in the first-class games preceding the Ashes.

The Australian bowling attack is pretty settled, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood all expected to be fit. The backup seamer spot is still up for grabs though, with both Jackson Bird and James Pattinson unavailable for selection with injuries.

The prime candidates for that position are Chadd Sayers (62 wickets at 19 last season), Jason Behrendorff (37 wickets at 17.59), Peter Siddle (played 62 Tests for Australia for 211 wickets) and Chris Tremain (42 wickets at 18.9).

Siddle provides Australia with years of experience, but he missed the entire 2016-17 Shield season, so the next three games will be very important if he’s to stake his claim for the Ashes.

The backup spinner spot also suffered a setback, with Steve O’Keefe injured, making Ashton Agar – who was picked for the Bangladesh tour – the top candidate for that spot.

With so many combinations possible, the start of the Shield season gives aspirants an audition and the regulars a chance to get much-needed practice.

Article by @Giri Subramanian
 
Ashes 2017 - Langer backs Marsh for Test recall

Shaun Marsh's stellar one-day form for Western Australia means he should be considered for yet another Test recall for The Ashes, according to former opener Justin Langer.

Marsh finished the leading scorer for the domestic tournament, amassing 412 runs at an average of 82 for a Warriors side that breezed past South Australia to win the final in Hobart on Saturday.

"I've known Shaun since he was a little kid, I've never seen him bat as well as he's batting at the moment," WA coach Langer said.

Marsh scored 32 in the final but was upstaged by younger bother Mitch, who blasted his side to a six-wicket victory at Bellerive Oval with an unbeaten 80 off as many balls.

The WA skipper clubbed nine fours as they easily chased down the Redbacks 9-248 with more than six overs to spare.

The Marsh brothers are two of many who can strengthen their case for selection as Australia's number six when the Sheffield Shield starts next week.

Fellow Western Australia player Hilton Cartwright, who made his Test debut against Pakistan last season, is in the running along with Victoria duo Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.

Three first-class rounds will be played before Australia's squad is named for the series opener at the Gabba on November 23.

"I'm looking forward to seeing that contest leading into The Ashes and see who's going to grab hold of that position," Langer said.

"Whether it's Shaun or Mitch or any of the guys around Australia, the guy who can get Test hundreds should be batting at six.

"But I hope it's one of them."

Shaun Marsh, who averages 36 from 23 Tests, lost his national contract this year having averaged 19 on the four-match tour of India.

Australia has tried a host of allrounders in recent years including Mitch Marsh, who averages 21 at Test level.

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/just...est-recall-ashes-western-australia/2017-10-22
 
Ashes 2017 - Australian bowling coach says players get no edge when they sledge

AUSTRALIA’S bowling coach David Saker wants his team to let their cricket do the talking against England this summer.

England land in Australia next week, while the Ashes don’t start until November 23, but already the vexed topic of sledging has reared its head.

Saker, who was England’s bowling coach during their most recent visit to Australia, cautioned Steve Smith’s side against getting too loud or lippy during the upcoming five-Test series.

“We’ve been guilty of probably getting ahead of ourselves on the field a few times, not respecting the game as much as we should,” Saker told radio station SEN.

“We need to just think about playing our cricket the best possible way, let the cricket do the talking. Not our mouths so much.

“But we’ve got players in our team who do like to have a chat.

“You just have to make sure you’re saying the right things and more importantly doing it with bat and ball.”

Matthew Wade, who is under pressure to retain his place in the XI, is among Australia’s most vocal players.

Australia’s Test tour of India earlier this year was marred by a series of send- offs and heated run-ins.

The recent limited-overs tour of India, during which Saker was head coach, was generally more cordial.

“When you’re out in the middle some things probably go over the top,” Saker said.

“As a rule the Australian team can be a bit too (inclined to play) that way.”

Saker coached the likes of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson during his stint with England but will now play a key role mentoring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins this summer.

“We’ve just got their measure at the moment. I think our bowlers are better than theirs,” the Victorian said, when asked about the Ashes. “We definitely won’t be taking them lightly.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e/news-story/7968660b1c2b3251a2543eb22ec3716e
 
Interesting coming from the coach of a team which prided itself doing exactly the same. It does seem the calm approach of Australia in recent times is more to do with their ability to walk the talk. McGrath and Warne could do it but probably the current crop have low confidence over their ability?
 
Ashes 2017 - Australia quick Pat Cummins hoping to be Johnson 2.0

Pat Cummins is uncertain whether his body can handle the demands of five Ashes tests but the young paceman hopes to emulate Mitchell Johnson and become an Australian wrecking ball against England’s batting lineup.

Cummins had to wait six years between his first and second tests due to a rash of injuries and has only played two tests in succession twice, in India in March and on the recent tour to Bangladesh.

Johnson also had to come back from a string of serious injuries to regain his place in the Australian team before devastating England with 37 wickets during the 5-0 whitewash in 2013/14.

Johnson’s experience gives 24-year-old Cummins hope that he can also make a big impact in the series starting in Brisbane next week.

”We saw what Mitchell Johnson did last Ashes series here -- it would be a role I would love to play,” Cummins told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

”Having those five or six years (on sidelines) ... I think it will mean a bit more when I go out there.

”It probably gave me a little bit of confidence and a little bit of patience (seeing Johnson’s comeback).

“I feel like I’m in the best position I can be, but we’ll have to wait and see — there’s no guarantees,” added Cummins of his hopes of playing a full series.

Cummins burst onto the world stage with a seven-wicket haul against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011 as an 18-year-old prodigy but only managed to play his second test against India in Ranchi in March this year.

There was a succession of lower back stress injuries in-between and he has been eased back slowly into the longer format.

Capable of bowling at express pace, he will vie with leading seamer Mitchell Starc to be the chief aggressor against England, with the slower Josh Hazlewood complementing the pair with line and length.

With his five tests all played on away pitches, Cummins is relishing the prospect of battling ‘the old enemy’ in front of home fans.

“As a fast bowler, it’s (about) getting in their face and being relentless in everything we do,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to get out there.

”As a kid growing up, you watch a lot of test cricket on TV.

“To be in that position where I might play in one, I’m pumped.”

https://in.reuters.com/article/cric...ummins-hoping-to-be-johnson-2-0-idINKBN1DE0I0
 
It will be interesting to see if he can trouble the English batters like Johnson did. Also like the article says, his fitness will be a major concern considering this is a 5 test series. Australia will be hoping that he would last the full series.
 
He can be lethal at his best but he has to stay clear of injury.
 
If Hazelwood,Cummins, and Starc stay fit for 3 out of 5 tests, Australia will win the series easily.
 
THat is probably one of the best Test series i watched in a decade or two. Just loved the way to see how English batsmen were quivering in their boots against MJ. They even created an youtube video paying tribute to Johnson set to ACDC Thunderstruck track.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3lexSTgIFp0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Strange selections on both sides. The absurdity of James Vince being in a county first XI, Stoneman/Malan who are untested other than a WI that was weak as usual in 2 of 3 Tests has already been beaten to death by English pundits.

Same for the likes of Paine on the other side, which is even more bizarre considering their bringing in an opener who has kept more in a month for his shield side than Paine has in two years and has actually scored runs. Then there's Shaun Marsh who mysteriously keeps coming back in the team and has already proved that he's not consistent enough for Tests.

I'm behind England, but they've created their own problems with a #2,3 and 5 by wasting their summer. They played Jennings after he kept looking like a walking wicket, gave games to Ballance who has the same technical issues that led to him being dropped, has no cricket under his belt and will play at 5 or 6 if Malan fails in the first couple of Tests. Or another batter gets injured.

The idea of 4 undeserving or untested players against the best bowling attack in the world who are all in form and in their home conditions, makes it look like they'll be less competitive than Pakistan were in their last two tours.
 
World’s fastest ever man Usain Bolt helping Australia with their running between wickets

EXPLOSIVENESS helped Usain Bolt to eight Olympic gold medals.

Now he has drawn on his power to help Australian cricketers utilise the asset between the wickets.

The world’s fastest man put a handful of Australian Ashes hopes through their paces and said that the area he thought most needed work was their speed off the mark.

“It’s all about explosiveness, and that’s one thing I’ve noticed with cricket - they don’t really have a lot of explosiveness when they’re running,” Bolt told the Herald Sun.

98e625d0d94719e4205fda58f0c57e8c

“They seem to always take off at a slow rate. Getting that right will definitely help people.”

Gatorade will this summer present the Gatorade Fastest Run trophy to the Australian cricketer who can record the fastest speed between the wickets throughout the summer of cricket, including Twenty20 matches.

It will use the “Bolt Rate” as a measure.

“We’re trying to make awareness more of running (as an asset in cricket) and we’re developing the Bolt Rate which is the quickest person through the wicket,” the retired sprinter said.

“I’m happy about that, because we’re going to see who is the fastest between the wickets.

“Nobody can assume - now we’ll actually know who’s the fastest.”

Australian cricketer Peter Handscomb said the tips were welcomed and that the Fastest Run title will be sought-after.

“He was giving us a few pointers on how to get a little bit faster,” Handscomb said.

“We’ll give it a crack.

“He was trying to get us nice and low in the turn and in and out. The first couple of steps are key and if we can get them right, we’ll be fast.

“Obviously he’s the fastest man ever so if we can have the title with him, that’d be cool.”

Bolt, 31, retired after this year’s World Championships - where he suffered a hamstring injury - and admitted that he has been busier since calling sprinting quits than he ever was competing.

c11f9f9a67d5351995907f4c3a2c6f2e

He is in Melbourne and recently spent time enjoying Spring Carnival festivities, but said he had begun training again while in town after being given the tick from his doctor.

But his focus won’t just be on running, with Bolt affirming that his looming tilt at soccer is a serious one.

“It’s something that I want to do. I’m trying to get fit now,” he said.

“My doctor finally passed me after my hamstring problems at the world championships, so now I can start training. “I’ve started training while I’m here and trying to get into shape before I get home and next year I’ll get a trial and we’ll take it from there.”

That trial has been flagged with German league powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.

“We’ll decide if it makes sense,” Bolt said.

“When I put my mind to something, I’m going to do it. I’m going to train hard, put myself through some drills. Coach of the team in Jamaica - I’ll do some work with him also to figure out the finer details.”

Bolt also said he hoped the Nitro League - which he described as “the most fun” he’d ever had competing - would return to the calendar and confirmed he would be attending the upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...k=e9824ae6b7c988f0b6d5d7fc9bfd515c-1511124654
 
Ashes 2017-2018 Prediction Thread

So we are finally here when the biggest series of the year is on its way to start in few hours from now.

Let's come to the prediction part of this series:

1. Leading run scorer
2. Leading wicket- taker
3. Player of the series

What will be your prediction for this 5 match test series?
 
Ah, first one here, might as well be brave.

Leading run scorer - Dawid Malan
Leading wicket taker - Chris Woakes
Player of the series - Chris Woakes
 
Moeen Ali should do well with the bat seeing how the pitches will suit his aggro-style of batting.
 
Leading run scorer- David Warner
Leading wicket taker- Josh Hazelwood
Player of the series- David Warner
 
"It's moments like this in series when you need to go even harder" : Ricky Ponting's advice

Cape Town - Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting feels that Steve Smith's men need to go even harder at England in Adelaide.

Ponting wants to see Australia close England out of the series and called on the team to be hard on themselves.

The former captain told : "It's moments like this in series when you need to go even harder.

"When you know that you've got an opposition down and there's things going around their camp, that's when you've got to be harder on yourself as a group of Australian players and make sure they don't let them back into the series.

"I think back to 2006-07 here in Australia where we had a really good win here in Brisbane. We went to Adelaide, we didn't get off to a good start down there, but we turned that around into a really positive win.

"And once we won that game there, we knew that we'd broken them and we had to keep our foot on their throats and whitewash the series, which is what we did.

"And I honestly think there's a chance for this Australian team to do the same thing all over. If they pay attention to their own backyard and pay attention to detail and try and find ways to improve every game, I think they can win every game."

The one area of concern for Ponting was the hosts batting which leans heavily on runs from skipper Smith, who was the only man to record a century in the first Ashes Test of the 2017/18 series.

Ponting said: "We can't afford to rely on him every game.

"He's the No.1 batsman in the world and for all the right reasons, but we need a more even contribution from all of our batsman.

"I didn't see much wrong with the bowling. (Mitchell) Starc probably didn't look at his absolute best, but then he bounced back yesterday and got the team on a bit of a roll with late wickets in the second innings.

"I thought the quicks would terrorise this English batting line-up and they've started doing that. They won't want to let their foot off now that they've created a few cracks in this line-up already."

The second Test gets underway on Saturday December 2 in Adelaide.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Ashes/ponting-urges-aussies-to-go-for-the-jugular-20171127
 
Same old Punter......Knocking the opposition down when they are hurt the most.:).

Especially loved this part;

"And once we won that game there, we knew that we'd broken them and we had to keep our foot on their throats and whitewash the series, which is what we did."

I wish Australia had more players with his aggression and those who can actually walk the talk. He really knows how to get under the nerve. Being an Indian, i really really hated this quality of him when he played against India.
 
Ashes 2017 - Aussies should 'go even harder': Ricky Ponting

Ashes-winning captain Ricky Ponting has urged Australia to "go even harder" at an England side facing multiple issues on and off the field, saying a 5-0 series whitewash could be on the cards if they improve on an inconsistent batting performance in Brisbane.

After an closely fought opening three days of this Magellan Ashes series, Australia will fly to Adelaide on Tuesday with a 1-0 series lead and their opponents facing questions about their team culture following revelations this week involving Jonny Bairstow and the continuing police investigation into allrounder Ben Stokes.

Ponting told cricket.com.au earlier this month that England would struggle to win any of the five Tests this summer and he says he didn't see anything in Brisbane to change his pre-series prediction.

And he urged the Australians to show no mercy in their quest to regain the Ashes urn and potentially sweep the series, like his team did in 2006-07.

"It's moments like this in series when you need to go even harder," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"When you know that you've got an opposition down and there's things going around their camp, that's when you've got to be harder on yourself as a group of Australian players and make sure they don't let them back into the series.

"I think back to 2006-07 here in Australia where we had a really good win here in Brisbane. We went to Adelaide, we didn't get off to a good start down there, but we turned that around into a really positive win.

"And once we won that game there, we knew that we'd broken them and we had to keep our foot on their throats and whitewash the series, which is what we did.

"And I honestly think there's a chance for this Australian team to do the same thing all over. If they pay attention to their own backyard and pay attention to detail and try and find ways to improve every game, I think they can win every game."

But Ponting warned the home side's batsmen would need to lift in next week's day-night Test in Adelaide, where conditions should be perfectly suited to England's swing bowlers.

Steve Smith's masterful century at the Gabba saved his side after an early collapse in their first innings and the tourists could be let back into the series if the captain's teammates don't help to carry the batting load next week.

"We can't afford to rely on him every game," Ponting said of Smith. "He's the No.1 batsman in the world and for all the right reasons, but we need a more even contribution from all of our batsman.

"I didn't see much wrong with the bowling. (Mitchell) Starc probably didn't look at his absolute best, but then he bounced back yesterday and got the team on a bit of a roll with late wickets in the second innings.

"I thought the quicks would terrorise this English batting line-up and they've started doing that. They won't want to let their foot off now that they've created a few cracks in this line-up already."

And Ponting believes the off-field issues facing England will make it even harder for the tourists to buck the trend of history and lift the Ashes urn having lost the opening match of the series.

"Ashes tours are hard enough as it is without having other distractions and things like this going on around the team," he said.

"Right now, you sort of feel for Joe Root a little bit because he's a young captain, he's on his first Ashes tour of Australia and he's got all this other stuff he's got to deal with.

"All sorts of questions are going to be asked about their leadership and their structures around their team and their coaching staff and everyone involved in cricket in the UK.

"But that's for them for worry about."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ric...-go-harder-australia-england-ashes/2017-11-27
 
Ponting doesn't need to look that far back.

They did the same thing in 2013/2014.

Took England apart in Brisbane and Adelaide. Swann already had one eye on retirement before Perth even came around.
 
Usman Khawaja denies any problems playing spin bowling

In Usman Khawaja’s world, things are mystically simple. Sometimes you get a century, like he did against the pink ball in Adelaide last year. Sometimes you open, like he did in that Test after David Warner got stuck in the toilet. And sometimes you get out, like he did in Brisbane to spin.

Random events occur. That’s cricket. He doesn’t believe in form; you are either playing confidently or you have lost your confidence and need to get it back.

Pink ball under lights or red ball in the day? Doesn’t matter. Watch the ball and hit it.

“Good cricket always prevails,” Khawaja said. “You’ve got to bat well, you’ve got to bowl well, you’ve got to field well, you’ve got to adapt to the conditions.”

Khawaja was called on to open at the last minute in Adelaide last summer because the South Africans, sensing a chance to trip the Australians, made a sudden declaration while Warner was making a pit stop.

The rules meant that Warner could not bat immediately and Khawaja had to face a difficult period with debut batsman Matt Renshaw. Khawaja made it through the night and peeled off a nonchalant 145 the next day.

“It was nice at the time, and to win the Test match,” Khawaja said. “We lost a couple of Test matches before then but this is a new game, new opposition, new wicket, start all over again. We can’t rely on last year. Every time I go out there I try to score runs and this will be no different.”

England have played only one pink-ball Test, Australia have been using it for a little longer in the domestic competition and three previous times at this level.

“Pink ball is still fairly new to everyone, so I don’t think anyone’s fully worked it out,” Khawaja said. “But we have had a good success rate and played a lot of pink ball games in Sheffield Shield cricket, which I think has only helped us along the way. We’ve got a lot of experience with the pink ball, but then again, we have to play well. If you don’t play well, you just don’t win.

“The pink ball has changed a little over time. It’s become a bit more consistent, it’s become closer to a red ball than it was three years ago when it was going around corners.

“I think if the conditions are right and it’s swinging, yes, it can be difficult, but it’s one of those balls it doesn’t always swing consistently so it’s a bit hard to get a gauge on.”

The cricket world believes Khawaja has a problem with offspin, he doesn’t. When he came in to bat in Brisbane, Joe Root wasted little time bringing Moeen Ali into the attack. Khawaja lasted just two balls, trapped in front in a manner not uncommon to previous dismissals on the subcontinent.

“Sometimes you just get out,” he said. “It’s cricket, it’s always going to happen. It doesn’t really bother me too much but I have a pretty simple game plan — watch the ball and hit it. I don’t think there’s anything too drastic I have to worry about, it’s one game. ”

The left-hander disagreed when it was suggested this might be the tactic employed by England from here on in.

“There were two lefties out there and the Gabba was turning a fair bit which was a bit weird for the Gabba, day two,” he said. “The wicket was still pretty soft and we did the exact same thing to them with Lyno (Nathon Lyon).”

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has noted that Khawaja scored runs against Lyon in the Shield game leading into the Test.

“I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Khawaja said. “I’m really enjoying my cricket this year as I have in the previous years and fortunately scored a lot of runs for Queensland. Coming into this Test series, one-nil up, it’s all I can really ask for. We’re winning cricket games, I’m happy.”
 
Khawaja talks a lot but again he got out in the only chance he got to bat to a spinner. Moeen who wasn't very good in the entire test troubled him and Khawaja missed a straight one to be out LBW. Khawaja must be hoping that he doesn't have to play too much spin in Adelaide as it will be under lights. He needs to sort out this issue otherwise he is never going to be a permanent fixture in the Aussie test team
 
ADELAIDE (Reuters) - England all-rounder Moeen Ali is a doubt for the second Ashes test against Australia as he struggles to recover from a cut on his index finger, captain Joe Root said on Friday.

Moeen, whose bowling was affected by the cut during England’s 10-wicket defeat at the Gabba, would probably be retained as a batsman at Adelaide Oval in the match starting Saturday even if were unable to bowl, said Root.

“We’ll have another look at things after practise and see how he is then and see if there’s any more damage to it and then we’ll have to make a decision from there,” Root told reporters at Adelaide Oval.

”His batting’s been a huge part of our team for a long period of time now so I think he would still play as a batter.

“He’s a top class batter and he’s someone who has the potential to go on and become one of the best batters in the world.”

The skipper did not rule out a potential debut for 20-year-old legspinner Mason Crane, though.

“I think we’ll have to look at the situation with Moeen, see how bad it is, look at the conditions but it’s definitely not out of the question,” Root added.

Root said it was still too early to confirm a team for the match but one certain inclusion was former captain Alastair Cook, despite a meagre return of nine runs from two innings at the Gabba.

”Cookie is a world-class act,“ said Root. ”He’s scored over 11,000 test runs, he’s been one of our most consistent performers for over 10 years. He’s not had the ideal start to the series, but ... I‘m not going to lose any sleep over him.

“I‘m pretty sure that during this series he’s going to make a massive contributions and he’s going to perform really well for us.”

With England 1-0 down in the series, Root took some comfort from the damp “English” conditions that he thought might favour the tourists in the first day-night Ashes test.

“(But) I think it’s really important that we don’t get too excited about that,” he cautioned.

”We just need to make sure we perform like we did in the first three days of the first test match for the whole game.

“If we do that and recognise the key moments of the game then we give ourselves the best chance of winning.”

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-c...for-second-ashes-test-says-root-idUKKBN1DV3A7
 
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Following a tough 10-wicket loss in the opening Test of the 2017-18 Ashes at The Gabba in Brisbane, England are in a salty water. Speculations were running high that the playing XI could see some changes for the second Test (day-night) at the Adelaide Oval from Saturday. However, England surprised everyone when they decided to retain the same playing XI for the first-ever day-night Test of the Ashes. The surprising element of the playing XI is that there were speculations of Jake Ball being dropped from the squad owing to his under-performance in the opening Test. Kevin Pietersen too had suggested the same after Ball had claimed just a wicket for 115 in the opening Test. However, his retention has certainly raised some eye brows. Meanwhile, Craig Overton has been added as the 12th man in the side.

Earlier, Australia too had retained the same playing XI for the Adelaide Test, following their convincing win at Brisbane.

England playing XI for 2nd Test - Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jake Ball, Craig Overton (12th man).

http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...playing-xi-for-2nd-test-dn-at-adelaide-664773
 
Overtons not been added to the squad as a 12th man, there's still every chance he'll replace Ball for the test.
 
Steve Smith today confirmed Australia would field an unchanged XI for the second Magellan Ashes Test in Adelaide.

The only concern for the Australians was the fitness of their three stellar fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, but after successfully completing yesterday's practice session without a worry the trio will line up together again at the Adelaide Oval from tomorrow afternoon.

South Australia swing bowler Chadd Sayers will fly to Cairns today to link up with his West End Redbacks teammates for their JLT Sheffield Shield clash against the myFootDr Queensland Bulls starting Sunday, while reserve quick Jackson Bird will join Tasmania for their Hobart clash with New South Wales if there is no complication between now and the toss.

Bird stayed with the Australians until the start of play in Brisbane before he was inserted into Tasmania's Shield match in Adelaide, where he took eight wickets in the Tigers' first win of the summer.

Captain Smith, alongside head coach Darren Lehmann and assistants Brad Haddin and David Saker, inspected the Adelaide Oval wicket today and said it appears to be a hybrid of the pitches seen previously at the venue.

"It looks like a bit harder than we've probably seen it for a while for a pink-ball game," Smith said. "It looks like there is slightly less grass. I'd say it's somewhere between an old Adelaide wicket and the newer wicket we've seen over the last couple of years. I think not as much sideways movement.

"There will still be good pace in the wicket but I think it looks a pretty good wicket."

After hammering England by 10 wickets in the first Test at the Gabba, Australia enter the twilight Test full of confidence with a deeper understanding of day-night Test cricket than their rivals.

Australia have played three pink-ball Tests to England's one, and while both teams are undefeated under floodlights, the hosts boast additional first-class matches against the luminescent Kookaburra ball.

Middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb made a half-century on debut in the day-nighter in Adelaide last summer and says Australia's vast experience in day-night cricket gives the hosts an extra edge.

"We've played with the pink Kookaburra ball for a long time and we've seen it change over the time and understand what it does do, especially here in Adelaide playing a few games," Handscomb said yesterday.

"It is a good advantage for us and England haven't played many games or trained much against the pink 'Kooka'.

"It's a different ball game for them."

With a one-nil series lead and an imposing record in day-night Test cricket, Handscomb said the Australians are focusing solely on this match and are not getting too far ahead of themselves with talks of a series whitewash in the air after their strong start to the Ashes.
"I suppose complacency can set in but that's something we are obviously going to not try and do," Handscomb said.

"We understand we have had a good game in Brisbane, but that's gone now it's completely different conditions as well, being a day-night Test, pink ball.

"But we have got to make sure we do things right by our own team and play our own game."

2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...t-joe-root-jimmy-anderson-response/2017-12-01
 
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Should England bench Jimmy Anderson for the Ashes in Australia?

I wonder why has he been selected, he is extremely poor in Australia, he doesn't have the pace to bowl fast bouncers or to beat the batsman for pace, he wasn't pitching it up and getting the ball to swing unlike he does in England, he was one of the main reasons why the English failed in 2013/14 and it is the repeat of the same.

The main reason for his success in 2010 was that he actually swung the ball and was managing to reverse swing the ball as well. But he hasn't shown those skills so far and it doesn't seem likely he can put it together again at the age of 35.

Can England make the bold move to bench him and play someone who is better suited to these fast hit the deck Australian pitches?

Not to mind his softie attitude and begging the Aussie pace attack to not bowl too many bouncers, his technique against bouncers is horrible

Overall a complete liability
 
why would you drop your most experienced pacer unless hes been bowling utter dross, which he hasnt
 
Cricket Australia XI squad named for Perth tour match
Cricket Australia has today announced a 12-player squad to play England in a two-day tour match from 9 - 10 December at Perth’s Richardson Park.

The squad, selected by the Youth Selection Panel, features four players from Tasmania, three from Western Australia and Victoria, and two from South Australia.

CA XI Squad
Gabe Bell, TAS
Alex Bevilaqua, WA
Nick Buchanan, TAS
Michael Cormack, SA
Travis Dean, VIC
Jake Doran, TAS
Sam Harper, VIC
Clint Hinchliffe, WA
Jackson Koop, VIC
Josh Philippe, WA
Jake Winter, SA
Mac Wright, TAS

Coach: John Davison
Assistant Coach: Chris Rogers

Four members of the squad - Victoria’s Travis Dean and Sam Harper, plus Tasmania’s Jake Doran and Gabe Bell - have played JLT Sheffield Shield cricket this season.

Dean has four first-class centuries to his name, while Doran recently scored his maiden first-class ton. Bell is among the JLT Sheffield Shield’s top-10 wicket-takers this summer, with 15 scalps in four matches.

Harper, Dean and a further four members of the squad - Western Australia’s Clint Hinchliffe, South Australia’s Michael Cormack, and Tasmania duo Mac Wright and Nick Buchanan - played in this summer’s JLT One-Day Cup.

Cormack also featured in the CA XI squad for the first two tour matches, in Adelaide and Townsville, while Western Australia keeper-batsman Josh Philippe was included after scoring 88 for a Western Australia XI against England in November.

Cricket Australia National Talent Manager and National Selector, Greg Chappell, said:

“We wanted to field as strong a side as possible, and it’s pleasing to have a number of players involved with first-class and domestic one-day experience,” Chappell said.

“On the batting front, Travis Dean and Jake Doran both have first-class hundreds to their name, while a number of up-and-coming players such as Clint Hinchliffe and Jake Winter also get a chance to shine.

“Josh Philippe from Western Australia impressed in his last match against England, when he scored 88, and he will take the gloves, allowing Jake Doran and Sam Harper to focus on their batting.

“Gabe Bell is a young player who has performed well in the Sheffield Shield this season, and this is a great opportunity for him, while there is plenty of variety on the spin-bowling front with Clint Hinchliffe, Mac Wright and Michael Cormack.”

The team will be coached by National Specialist Skills Program spin coach and Queensland Bulls assistant coach John Davison, with former Australia opening batsman Chris Rogers as his assistant.

The third Test of the Magellan Ashes Series commences on 14 December at the WACA Ground.
 
Should Australia play the same attack in all five Ashes Tests?

I am really enjoying australian fast boWling In these first 2 tests.
Mind you, both pitches were a litle but on the slower side but still they manage to get wickets.

The problem is that they are playing a 4 test match series In South Africa early next year.
We all know how injury prone both Cummins and Starc are.

I will rest Cummins in the third test (i know it’s Perth) but still it’s better for him to rest here than again injured himself for years.
Then you can rest Starc for one of the last Two tests.
 
Unless England manage to keep Oz in the field for 4-5 sessions at some stage then I don't think Oz will rest pacers unless they develop a niggle. So far their workloads (CA High Performance unit monitor these closely & adjust training volume accordingly. They follow it's edicts slavishly- for good or ill) have been quite moderate so no need to rest yet.
 
Look to rest them when the series is won. So 4th or 5th test is where I would look to rest Starc and Cummins.
 
Of course. This is the pinnacle of their cricketing scene. They've built up to be at their best in this very series. And I'm sure that even if they are 3-0 up, they'll go full throttle for the 5-0.
 
Seeing as this attack is doing good, then why not? Ashes is the pinnacle of cricket, up there with the World Cup for those involved so I wouldn't rest anyone until the series is won.
 
Return of Mitch Marsh

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/t...quad-for-waca-ground-ashes-test-ng-b88683351z

Mitch Marsh has been named in the Australian squad for next week’s third Ashes Test at the WACA Ground.

Marsh, considered an outside chance of earning a recall after a long injury lay-off, was on Wednesday named in the squad at the expense of South Australian quick Chadd Sayers.
Click to expand...

I can already visualise Australian twitter and facebook pages going alight.

I actually joked to some friends after he scored a century for WA a week or so ago that he'd be back. And he is.
 
Have they rated our required Marsh quota to two now? It's always been just one since the 70s!
 
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